The casting of Joseph Gordon-Levitt in THE DARK KNIGHT RISES led to rampant speculation as to who exactly his character, John Blake, is. Many find it incredulous that he could be a wholly original character with no roots in an existing comic book creation. The first and still popular theory is that John Blake is in fact Robin. I can say I felt this made sense at the outset before we saw the trailers for the film. Plus, Gordon-Levitt has a look that works with what we expect the Robin from the comics to look like in real life.

The latest viral release from DEWGothamCity is a police performance review on John Blake. From the looks of it, Officer Blake is an excellent policeman, with a couple of specific notes about his character.

"Officer Blake shows great dedication and tenacity," the report states. "He made an impact in his assigned beat by building effective associations within the local community." The report summary also states he "needs minor improvement in his relationships with fellow officers", and that his thoroughness gives him a tendency to "question authority".

That could be Robin. That could even be Nightwing. Or, we could just be running around in circles and Blake is just a surrogate for the audience, watching and waiting for Batman to return to Gotham. I now think that last option is the most likely. I would be pleasantly surprised if it did turn out to be one of Batman's sidekicks, but I don't think Nolan would throw that into the last film of his trilogy for nothing. If that other theory, the one that has Batman dying at the end of THE DARK KNIGHT RISES, proves to be true, Blake could be the new "white knight" to shepherd Gotham into a new era of peace.

I cant help but think that John Blake is that kid from Batman Begins where Batman gives him a gadget so all the kids would believe there was a Batman. If anyone remembers the kids parents were fighting andhe really looked up to Batman which means he probally was really into protecting people and being a hero so its quite possible he would join Law Enforcement. I dont know if he is but I think it be a pretty cool idea that not many cops throughout Nolan's series besides Gordon liked Batman so

I cant help but think that John Blake is that kid from Batman Begins where Batman gives him a gadget so all the kids would believe there was a Batman. If anyone remembers the kids parents were fighting andhe really looked up to Batman which means he probally was really into protecting people and being a hero so its quite possible he would join Law Enforcement. I dont know if he is but I think it be a pretty cool idea that not many cops throughout Nolan's series besides Gordon liked Batman so when Batman gave that kid that gadget he held on to it and Looked up to Batman his entire life making sure he did what he could do to help him along with Gordon.

Good theory, but has enough time passed for that to even work? I think there's supposed to be about a year between Begins and TDK, and we know theres 8 between TDK and TDKR. The kid in Begins looked like he was about 10 or 12, so in theory, JGL is playing a 19-21 year old cop who apparently has enough experience to be regarded with all these credentials? Good thought, but just like how I don't believe the theory that Nolan is bringing back Coleman Reese from TDK, I'm not buying this one either.

Good theory, but has enough time passed for that to even work? I think there's supposed to be about a year between Begins and TDK, and we know theres 8 between TDK and TDKR. The kid in Begins looked like he was about 10 or 12, so in theory, JGL is playing a 19-21 year old cop who apparently has enough experience to be regarded with all these credentials? Good thought, but just like how I don't believe the theory that Nolan is bringing back Coleman Reese from TDK, I'm not buying this one either. Just seems too cliche' for Nolan, in my opinion

Theory...

I don't think Bruce will die at the end. Since he already "dies" during the movie and rises from Gotham's ashes, killing him would not make sense. UNLESS.... Bruce dies at the end because he's "flesh and blood", he "can be ignored", he "can be destroyed", and John Blake takes his place as Batman. It would bring the trilogy full circle since Batman would follow in the footsteps of Ra's Al Ghul, as an immortal legend.

I don't think Bruce will die at the end. Since he already "dies" during the movie and rises from Gotham's ashes, killing him would not make sense. UNLESS.... Bruce dies at the end because he's "flesh and blood", he "can be ignored", he "can be destroyed", and John Blake takes his place as Batman. It would bring the trilogy full circle since Batman would follow in the footsteps of Ra's Al Ghul, as an immortal legend.

In my opinion.

Batman/Bruce will live. These trailers are playing it off like he dies at the end, also in the trailers it seems like Batman/Bruce gets his ass kicked by Bane. If you watch he is walking on a cane. If Batman or Bruce dies, some part of me will be angry because of the trailers.. saying that the legend will end, assuming hey Bruce will die at the end. But could they be referring to Bane when they say the legend ends.. or maybe could they be speaking of Ra's al Ghul? I don't know but I'm pretty

Batman/Bruce will live. These trailers are playing it off like he dies at the end, also in the trailers it seems like Batman/Bruce gets his ass kicked by Bane. If you watch he is walking on a cane. If Batman or Bruce dies, some part of me will be angry because of the trailers.. saying that the legend will end, assuming hey Bruce will die at the end. But could they be referring to Bane when they say the legend ends.. or maybe could they be speaking of Ra's al Ghul? I don't know but I'm pretty excited to see. I'm just not going to believe that Bruce or Batman dies.

JGL the JOKER

Nolan has stated for years that Robin wouldn't be in his storyline and Bale has also stated that he would stop being Batman if Robin was included in the story. I'm sorry to all the Robin lovers out there, but Robin brings the Batman mythology down for the rest of us. And to all you Robin lovers out there, what the hell is wrong with you?

Nolan has stated for years that Robin wouldn't be in his storyline and Bale has also stated that he would stop being Batman if Robin was included in the story. I'm sorry to all the Robin lovers out there, but Robin brings the Batman mythology down for the rest of us. And to all you Robin lovers out there, what the hell is wrong with you?

The Avengers was BRILLIANT and The Amazing Spider Man sucked and was anything but Amazing. Now it's time for The Dark Knight Rises to take the reigns and finish the superhero films of this summer with an EPIC BANG!

Let's bring it home Bale and Nolan.

The Avengers was BRILLIANT and The Amazing Spider Man sucked and was anything but Amazing. Now it's time for The Dark Knight Rises to take the reigns and finish the superhero films of this summer with an EPIC BANG!

Yes - Cannot wait!! You're always so positive about most movies. Just quickly, what did you hate about Spidey? I still haven't seen it and don't know if I want to spend the money. EDIT: I just saw your other post in the box-office one and will read it when I get a chance.

Yes - Cannot wait!! You're always so positive about most movies. Just quickly, what did you hate about Spidey? I still haven't seen it and don't know if I want to spend the money. EDIT: I just saw your other post in the box-office one and will read it when I get a chance.